If you are looking for ways to bolster the efficiency of your home, your attic is a good place to start. Insulation is an inexpensive material that can greatly affect how much energy you end up using each month.

However, there are many insulating options and it is important to be able to recognize which are the most appropriate for your needs.

Insulation is useful because it helps to keep heat from easily transferring in and out of your home. In addition to your attic, it can be used in basements, ceilings and crawl spaces. Depending on your local climate, the U.S. Department of Energy has various recommendations for how much you should use; this map will help you figure out the right amount for your particular area. The R-values they are referring to are the standard measure of strength for insulating options.

Depending on your home’s needs, one of the four types of insulation will be best suited for you:

Rolls and batts (aka blankets): This is the most common kind and the type most people think of when considering insulation. It is made of various mineral fibers and can be used for a number of purposes such as insulating rim joists, wall studs and ducts.

Rigid foam insulation: This is similar to rolls but takes up much less space. It is also more expensive because of its convenient concentrated strength that provides you with more room.

Loose-fill insulation: This has to be blown into hard-to-reach spaces using special equipment.

Foam-in-place insulation: This too has to be blown in but is efficient at preventing drafts from getting into your home.

Spaces that have insulation need to be adequately ventilated so that moisture accumulation doesn’t become a problem. Make sure that you don’t cover any air vents, soffits or eaves with the insulation you are installing.

For more information about insulating options, contact us at All Year today. We have proudly served the Greater Sacramento area since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about insulation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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